Q: I want my feed pellets to be broadcast further out over the pen’s surface. Can I up increase the size of the gas power plant running the Aerite™ blower on my AeroSpreader™ Feed Broadcaster?
A: IAS can address almost any size motor and blower you require. We would note however that because of the density of the feed pellet itself there is a maximum distance feed pellets could travel through the air no matter what size motor or centrifugal type blower used. While there are ways of ensuring you have maximized feed broadcast distance, applying more horsepower or up sizing the centrifugal blower’s fan diameter in order to push the feed pellet out of the feeder’s venturi feed entertainment nozzle (i.e. higher air volume) will not necessarily result in the feed pellets traveling any further distance. What will occur in this instance is that the feed pellets will be broadcast out the same distance – but will arrive at the same point faster. The limiting factors here are pellet shape/size and pellet density and the fact that the centrifugal blowers used with AeroSpreader™ model feeders are designed to create huge volumes of air at low operating pressure.
Q: How do I increase feed broadcast distances on my AeroSpreader™ Feed Broadcaster?
A: Feed distances can be increased by adding a 3-4 foot length of rigid tube to the end of the feed broadcast outlet nozzle. It is important to first insure that the feed broadcast hose is not set up with tight kinks or tight radius bends or is being operated with dents or partially crushed sections. Any one of these occurrences will cause pellets to bounce within the hose with a loss of forward momentum. With the feed hose properly set up and in good operating condition, adding a straight length of rigid tube provides a section in the feed delivery system where the feed pellets can settle down and stop bouncing. This ‘feed pellet calming’ zone offers the best chance for the fast moving air to impart as much energy as possible to accelerate the feed pellets out over the water surface.
Q: Why are underwater LED light fixture manufacturers producing lights that focus on Blue and Green LED lights?
A: Underwater LED light fixture manufacturers apply the knowledge of physics and the fact that blue/green light wavelengths (425-530 nanometer wavelengths) travel the furthest through water. When compared to a traditional metal halide light source that radiates light across the full spectrum, LED lights are able to mirror the same area of ‘light influence’ using this focus light energy source. By focusing on specific light output wavelengths an LED light operating at 100-115 watts is described as being equal to a Metal Halide light operating at 400 watts.
Q: How many SeeBrite™ Underwater lights do I need in a cage?
A: The answer depends upon the type of light chosen, the size of the cage the light(s) are to be positioned within, as well as worse case water turbidity (the amount of particulate matter in the water that causes radiating light from the underwater light fixture to be reflected back towards the fixture.
Q: I want my more blower power to increase feed pellet broadcast distance. Can I increase the size of the gas motor running the Aerite™ blower on my AeroSpreader™ Feed Broadcaster?
A: Blower motor sizes are carefully matched to the model of Aerite™ centrifugal blower for horsepower demand. Increasing just the size of the motor will not increase feed broadcast distance since the blower impeller will still be rotating at the same speed. Increasing the size of the motor AND increasing the size of the Aerite™ model centrifugal blower impeller will result in higher air volume from the blower. Feed pellet size,shape and density dictate the a maximum distance feed pellets could travel through the air While there are ways of ensuring you have maximised feed broadcast distance, applying more horsepower and up sizing the centrifugal blower’s fan diameter will not necessarily result in the feed pellets travelling any further distance – just arriving at the same distance much faster.
Q: How deep do I position my SeeBrite™ Underwater Lights?
A: We recommend that your SeeBrite™ Lights be positioned at approximately 3 to 6 meters (9 to 18 feet) to ensure maximum light use. The goal is to ensure fish have no ability to retreat and rest in low or no light zones. To address this stagger lights high and low in the water column. The lantern style design of both metal halide and LED light sources are such that light radiates out from the arc tube and LEDs at 70-100 degrees off an imaginary vertical line running through the centre of the fixture. If the light is placed too deeply, a large number of fish will school in the unlit area to the sides and above the fixture, compromising the effect of the light.
Q: What is the best light frequency for an underwater LED light?
A: There is no one conclusive answer. First off it is important to understand that the primary reason for seeing underwater LED lights operating in the blue/green color spectrum (425-530 nanometer light output frequencies) is due to the fact that these color frequencies transmit light energy the furthest through water. This is a matter of light physics not fish physiology and as such focusing solely on the physics of lighting would be troublesome:

  1. Since in nature fish are responding to sunlight lAS Products Ltd has chosen to remain cautious in its approach and ensure all SeeBrite™ LED lights radiate energy throughout the visible light range from 400- 700 nanometers.
  2. Even with this push to approximate nature, using full spectrum LED may still mean the underwater fish farm community is missing out on near infra red and ultra violet – radiant energy not visible to the human eye but quite possibly of benefit to fish.
  3. Until ongoing research proves otherwise IAS Products Ltd has sourced LEDs that operate across the full visible light spectrum 400-700 nanometers. To ensure that SeeBrite™ LED underwater lights maximize the zone of light influence as compared to a 400-watt metal halide light source, these LED lights are replacing, the chosen full spectrum LEDs include 40% of their light output in the 425-485 nanometer range commonly identified as “Royal Blue”. To this IAS Products Ltd adds green LEDs to the 485-530 nanometer ranges to further augment the LED radiant light source ensuring the maximum zone of light influence.
Q: How many SeeBrite™ Underwater lights do I need in a cage?
A: The answer depends upon the type of light chosen, the size of the cage the light(s) are to be positioned within, as well as worse case water turbidity (the amount of particulate matter in the water that causes radiating light from the underwater light fixture to be reflected back towards the fixture.
Q: You use a special type of stainless flex hose that looks just like exhaust tubing. Why?
A: At first glance this stainless steel flex hose does look just like simple exhaust hose. However, the product that we have specified to work with all AeroSpreader™ feeders has a liner inside that ensures a smooth inside face. This smooth face is required to ensure maximum blower air energy and is used to transport the feed rather than fighting to overcome turbulence and resistance created by the ribs and ridges found in standard hoses.